Last week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the selection of a site in Broome County for the School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University. The new 70,000 square-foot facility will be built on Corliss Avenue in Johnson City, adjacent to United Health Services’ Wilson Medical Center, where students will be able to complete course requirements such as clinical rotations and job training. The Governor made this announcement during a visit to Binghamton University earlier today.

“Investing in our education system is one of the best ways to continue growing the economy and attracting young people to our state,” Cuomo said. “We set aside funding in the State’s budget for a School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University because this project is more than just a new facility – it’s a down payment on a brighter and more prosperous future for the region. This School of Pharmacy will further distinguish Binghamton as a world-class educational institution, provide research and learning opportunities to hundreds of students and add jobs to the local community, and I am very excited to see it get underway in Johnson City.”

The Governor made Binghamton’s School of Pharmacy a priority during this year’s Executive Budget, allocating $10 million in capital resources to support initial planning and development costs, including the acquisition and preparation of the site. Construction on the new facility will begin in spring 2015, and is expected to be completed in 2018. Renderings of the facility can be found here, and an aerial map of the location is available here.

Binghamton University intends to enroll 320 students in the Doctor of Pharmacy program and 60 students in their PhD program once the new school reaches full capacity. Construction of the facility is expected to support hundreds of construction jobs, and once completed and open, the school is projected to create more than 100 new private sector jobs per year and generate an annual regional economic impact of approximately $100 million.

Senator Tom Libous said, "What the Binghamton University Downtown Center did to bring in private investment and new activity to revitalize downtown Binghamton, the School of Pharmacy will do for Johnson City. Working directly with Governor and President Stenger, we put together a plan to bring new opportunities to our students and our community."

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “This is exciting news for Binghamton University and adds to its already impressive portfolio of research and innovation. Advances in science will allow innovative new medicines to treat specific individuals based on their genetic make-up and BU will be at the forefront of this evolving industry.”

“The School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University is going to create jobs, fill a critical workforce need for New York State, and further position SUNY as a leader in healthcare education and training,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Importantly, the School’s close proximity to a medical center will give our students access to the applied learning and clinical practice opportunities that best prepare them for success after graduation. Thank you again to Governor Cuomo and the Legislature for allocating the funds necessary to move this facility forward.”

“Close proximity to a hospital is a critical aspect of site selection for a school of pharmacy because of the need for hospital rotations for students,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have finalized this location in Johnson City and thank the governor for his strong support of our plan to establish the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences to serve our students and our state.”

The new School of Pharmacy will allow Binghamton University to offer a greater number of advanced disciplines within the bio-science field, and also enable the University to grow its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning and medical research. More than one third of Binghamton students already study related STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines, and the school’s proximity to nearby hospitals presents an ideal opportunity for future students that need to fill internship and externship hours in order to earn their pharmaceutical degrees.

Pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences have consistently been ranked among the highest-earning college majors, as well as degrees that offer some of the best returns on investment for students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists pharmacy as one of the fastest growing careers in the country – by 2020 the demand for licensed pharmacy professionals is projected to increase by more than 14 percent as the nation’s population ages.

Demand for pharmaceutical programs in higher education is also significant, especially in New York State. Currently, there are only seven pharmacy schools in New York State, yet in 2010 they received more than 10,300 D.Pharm applications. The University at Buffalo – which is currently the only established public pharmacy school in the State – received more than 900 applications that year for its less than 125 available spots.

Broome County Executive Debbie Preston said, “This selection and purchase of the future site for School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University is a major step in bringing world class pharmaceutical educations to the students of New York. The sited location could not be more convenient for future Binghamton University students, allowing students easy access to United Health Services’ Wilson Medical Center.”

Johnson City Mayor Greg Deemie said, “I am overjoyed to hear that a site selection and purchase for the School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University has been made right here in Johnson City. Providing access to the Wilson Medical Center offers a convenience and luxury to students attending the future School of Pharmacy which cannot be overstated.”

Union Town Supervisor Rose Sotak said, “I applaud the officials at Binghamton University for making such a logical decision in siting and purchasing the future location for the School of Pharmacy at Binghamton University in Johnson City. Locating the School of Pharmacy on Corliss Avenue delivers students an easy commute from Binghamton University’s campus as well as the opportunity to complete critical course work at the Wilson Medical Center.”